ECB Holds Rates, Sees Moderate, Uneven Recovery

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at a record low of 1.0 percent on Thursday and reaffirmed its view that the euro zone's economic recovery would be modest and uneven this year.

"Euro area economic activity continued to expand around the turn of the year. Looking ahead, the Governing Council expects the euro area economy to grow at a moderate pace in 2010," European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet told a news conference.

"The recovery is likely to be uneven and the outlook subject to uncertainty," he said.

Economists expect the euro zone economy to grow 1.2 percent this year and 1.6 percent next year, following an expected contraction of 3.9 percent in 2009.

"The Governing Council will, in early March, take decisions on the continued implementation of the gradual phasing-out of the extraordinary liquidity measures that are not needed to the same extent as in the past," Trichet said.

Recent official data showed economic sentiment in the euro zone strengthened much more than expected in January and December while unemployment in Germany -- the largest economy in the bloc -- rose less than forecast last month.

Price pressures remained muted in the euro zone, despite the nascent recovery. Still, the unemployment rate in the euro zone rose to 10 percent in December -- the highest since August 1998.

And the financial troubles of euro zone member Greece could endanger the currency bloc's recovery.

Greece has been hit hard on international markets after the country's new Socialist government revealed in October its budget deficit was twice as big as previously announced and more than four times the euro zone ceiling of 3 percent of GDP.

This has sparked talk about a possible bailout by the European Union and fears about the stability of the euro area.

Asked after the January ECB meeting how realistic he regarded talk of Greece or any other state being forced out of the euro zone, Trichet said he did not comment on what he called absurd hypotheses.

The European Commission on Wednesday approved Greece's plan to cut its budget deficit to below 3 percent of gross domestic product in 2012 from 12.7 percent in 2009, but said further steps must be taken to cut public sector wages and put finances in order.

The ECB's February meeting is the last before euro zone politicians anoint a successor to ECB Vice-President Lucas Papademos, with Portugal's Vitor Constancio and Luxembourg's Yves Mersch both nominated to replace him.

Constancio is said to have a slight edge in the running, bringing a slight dovish bias to the six-strong Executive Board. This would likely be offset if policymakers choose Germany's Axel Weber over Italy's Mario Draghi to replace Jean-Claude Trichet as ECB president next year.

TradingEconomics.com, Reuters2/4/2010 10:25:48 AM

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In April of 2013, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75 percent, 1.50 percent and 0.00 percent respectively. Published on 2013-04-04

European Central Bank Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged in March
In March of 2013, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75 percent, 1.50 percent and 0.00 percent respectively. Published on 2013-03-07

ECB Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged in February
In February of 2013, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75 percent, 1.50 percent and 0.00 percent respectively.Published on 2013-02-07

ECB Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged in January
At today’s meeting the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively.Published on 2013-01-10

ECB Keeps Rates Unchanged
At meeting on December 6th, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively. Published on 2012-12-06

ECB Keeps Rates Unchanged
At meeting on November 7th, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively. Published on 2012-11-08

ECB keeps Interest Rates Unchanged
At the Governing Council of the ECB in October 4th, it was decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively.Published on 2012-10-04

ECB keeps Interest Rates Unchanged
At the Governing Council of the ECB's meeting in September 6th it was announced that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility would remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively. Published on 2012-09-06

ECB Keeps Rates Unchanged
At meeting on August 2nd, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 0.75%, 1.50% and 0.00% respectively. Published on 2012-08-02

ECB Cuts Rates to New Low
At meeting on July 5th, the Governing Council of the ECB decided to cut the key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points.Published on 2012-07-09

ECB Keeps Rates Unchanged
At the meeting on June 6th, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively.Published on 2012-06-06

ECB Keeps Rates Unchanged
At today’s meeting the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively.
Published on 2012-06-06

ECB Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged
At the meeting on May 3rd, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively.Published on 2012-05-03

ECB leaves Interest Rates Unchanged
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged as policy makers balance the threat of inflation in Germany against the need to fight the sovereign debt crisis.
Published on 2012-04-04

ECB Leaves Rates Unchanged
The Governing Council of the ECB decided on March 8th, that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively. Published on 2012-03-08

ECB Keeps Interest Rate at 1%
At the meeting on February 9th, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 1.00%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively. Published on 2012-02-09